Lithium mining near Loznica to start in 2022? Rio Tinto reveals to us what stage they are in

Photo: Nikola Tomic

Rio Tinto is currently in the feasibility study phase for its lithium extraction project in Serbia, near Loznica. Based on the results of the study, the company's board will make a decision about the mine, and based on previous research, everything should be ready during 2021.

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That means that the construction of the mine could start in 2022, we have been told by Rio Tinto.

As they stated, a committee of sorts is being established that will deal with environmental pollution, so that citizens will be able to elect members themselves and influence decisions.

As the managing director of the company, Marnie Finlayson told us, due to the specific technology, the mine will be different from others in Serbia, that is, it will have to be very deep, with two shafts.

They are currently looking for workers from Serbia.

Rio Tinto has been present in Serbia since 2004, when a new unique mineral, jadarite, was discovered. Since then, the company has been working with domestic and international experts on the development of technology for the processing of jadarite and the application of modern mining technological solutions. A large amount of work is ahead of the Jadar project team to ensure that a greendfield mining and metallurgy project of this size develops to its operational phase in a safe and sustainable way, in environmental and economic terms.

The Jadar project concerns a world-class deposit of lithium and borate, discovered by Rio Tinto geologists in 2004. Two years later, the mineral was officially registered and named jadarite, since it was found in the valley of the River Jadar. Jadarite's forumula is sodium lithium boron silicate and Serbia is still the only place where this mineral is found. Due to the high concentration of lithium and boron per ton of excavated ore, Jadar is ranked as one of the most important lithium deposits in the world, while the declared mineral resources of the deposit, in accordance with the international standard JORC, amount to 136 million tons.

The Jadar deposit is on the threshold of the European automotive industry, which is rapidly entering the era of electric vehicles in line with EU's green transport program. The project represents a strategic development opportunity for Serbia, with direct and indirect economic benefits. It enables the strengthening of Serbia as a destination for green economy, but also for other foreign investments. It contributes to the development of the mining industry in Serbia, as well as to the economic development of western Serbia. The investment potential exceeds $1.5 billion.

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(Telegraf Biznis)